Receive the latest birds-nest updates in your inbox

I hope we're all on board with the fact that there's going to be regime change in 2013. To that end, I'm pretty disinterested in the results this year — excepting what we can learn that will help the Eagles move forward into the next era. A large part of that is discerning which players are expendable and which are the cornerstones for a new foundation.

When Andy Reid arrived in Philadelphia in 1999, he made those hard choices. He picked the players who would make the transition. That included stalwarts like Tra Thomas, Duce Staley, Brian Dawkins, Jeremiah Trotter, Troy Vincent, and Bobby Taylor. They helped form the backbone of a team that would reach four straight NFC championship games. Most of the rest of the roster, however, was gutted and rebuilt through the draft and a few key free agent signings.

As of the middle of the 2012 season, this is how I analyze the roster for the future:

Building Blocks: Players who the next coach should build the new era around. Use a scheme that plays to their strengths.

LeSean McCoy. Shady should be the crutch for the Eagles' new quarterback.

DeSean Jackson. New contract has re-energized him. Hasn't dropped a pass all year.

Brent Celek. Turns 28 in January. Has taken a lot of hits, but keeps on getting up.

Fletcher Cox. Still adjusting to the NFL, but early results look great.

Mychal Kendricks. See above.

DeMeco Ryans. Glad to be wrong about him. Has provided leadership and consistent play in the middle of the defense. Only turns 29 in July.

Keepers, With A Caveat: Players who could be building blocks, but we need to see a little bit more. In other words, hold that contract extension for the moment.

Jason Kelce. Potential as rookie starter, but need to see recovery from injury. Also, may only fit certain schemes.

Brandon Boykin. Upside less than other defensive rookies, but has held his own so far.

Nate Allen. May have reached ceiling of "solid player." Worth something in NFL, but how much?